Easter Weekend I had Sun, Mon, Tuesday off. I decided to turn my three day off opportunity into a three day training ride. Saturday after work my husband and I drove out to Gruene, TX and stayed at a camp ground on The Famous River Road. The worst part was the drunks were still out partying so getting to sleep that night was a bit tough.
Sunday morning Nathanael made us breakfast while I kitted out my ride with all my gear. I wanted a realistic weight for the divide so I packed everything I currently plan to take.
After loading (54 pounds including water weight) we went out for a nice 53.5 miler with 2791 feet of climbing. This is huge for a Houston dweller. The ride started out with a nice ride down river road into downtown Gruene. I enjoyed getting a fill for downhill with a fully loaded bike. My bike handles well and my confidence is growing a bunch. During this trip I wanted to get more familiar with my etrex 30. If you think you might want to use GPS for a big ride.. Get is way in advance and learn it. You almost need a degree to figure the thing out. I am still learning. It's not easy to operate if you have never used one. Not like your cell phone apps, Android apps are easy to understand and flow. GPS does not flow.
We stopped shortly in Gruene to walk an art show and drink some coffee. After our coffees we headed out from some more big climbs. Based on my study of the divide maps most of these climbs were steeper and shorter than the ones out on the divide. Getting an understanding for how your bike climbs with a load is very important. You have to get an idea as to how your knees and your heels are going to hold out. I felt strong and was keeping a good pace about 11 mph average. My goal wasn't to bust a move but just get miles in and feel the climbing.
After about 25 miles I was faced with my first challenge:
After climbing for about 3 miles into a headwind we came to this fence blocking cars from driving along the dam road we were going to traverse. Notice the tight triangle access to the left of the gate... Yeah.. Try getting a 50 pound bike in it. I was afraid we would have to turn around and ride all the way back the long way. My husband wanted to help me but I said, "I am going to have to do stuff like this on the divide. I have to figure it out." I managed to wedge and lift the bike at a very odd angle. It was tough but we made it to the other side.
After a short downhill we were on top of the dam. With a rewarding view of the lake and the valley on the other side.
Hope this levee never breaks. I was thinking of that Led Zep Tune..
"If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break,
When The Levee Breaks I'll have no place to stay."
When The Levee Breaks I'll have no place to stay."
As this tune played in my mind I pedal on back towards camp. Of course we got to sail down to the bottom of the level and then climb out of the valley to drop back down to the river.
Remember the learning curve for GPS.. my next challenge was at mile 34. My GPS sent us onto a ranch road. We both thought it was a bit odd riding past a gate but maybe it was one of those neighborhoods. It started as pavement and went to gravel with several creek crossings and a steady 3 mile climb. With a few real kickers when you are loaded. I was feeling strong and proud and didn't have to walk a single section. As we approached to turn off for this section we noticed a huge concrete fence with a closed gate. Oopps we just road across some ranchers land. The gate would not open. Realizing we were on private property we really didn't want to turn around. So we braced my husbands bike on the wall and he used it to climp to the top. While I power lifted my beast up to him about 5 feet off the ground. While Nathanael balanced the bike on top of the wall I scaled the wall using his bike to boost my self to the top. After dropping to the other side of the wall Nathanael handed me the beast and his bike. Sweating and a bit nervous about getting shot by a Texas Rancher we both hopped on our bikes and tore down the road like nothing ever happened. In Texas Ranch Roads are not always open to the public. However GPS on our phones and handheld seemed to think so. With this exciting moment behind us I had a renewed sense of energy and blasted the last 14 miles. I averaged about 16 mph and got back to camp quickly.
Day one profile 1
Not really. With 2500 feet in 39miles this ride was a bit tougher getting started. Tired legs and a lot of climbing for the 1st 10 miles. Not to mention the wind was in our face and much stronger on day two. We rode out from Grune North up the River Road and out to a camp ground at the bottom of Canyon Lake. Along the way we ran into an advertisement featuring Yettie's. We could not resist. We got photos of us running from them.
On the way back we would take all the off shots down to the lake and back up. Resulting in some steep climbs 85 to 12% and some great training.
Profile for day 2
Day Three:
Nathanael and I planned to ride out together for about 10 miles. Nathanael was going to do about 10 miles with me and then head back to take down the camp and then drive to Lulling to pick me up about 50 miles away.
Instead of going into downtown Gruene and having to climb the massive hill going into down town I decided to ride threw New Braunfels. God decided to laugh at me. When Nathanael and I got to the 10 mile separation point this was what we got to climb:
21% Grade!! Ouch. Does my bike even have that many gears!!! From 600 ft to 800 ft in two tenths of a mile. My agony when we saw this. I would not walk. I had to zig and zag but I got my butt to the top without falling and without walking.. My accomplishment was super huge. Nathanael had never ridden up anything like it. We both were proud.
After our huge climb Nathanael turned back to camp and I was on my own for 40 more miles. My plan was to ride around the north side of the airport and head to Lulling. However, road closure struck! I had to reroute because of a new air landing being built across my path. Part of me wanted to ride across it but the good side of me said no. I had to back track and reroute about 5 miles. This new route feature rice patties, corn fields, no shade, vortex winds, and burning hot pavement. The only place to get water was a church. I greeted a lady in the parking lot working the daycare program. She let me in to get some water and a bit of AC.
I had to push on for about 15 miles before the ride became blocked with trees and hills to slow the wind. Once in the trees and hills the road became white dusty gravel. Solar FLARE TIME. I could feel the sun burn coming. I stopped under an oak tree and lathered up again. After a brief moment of no sun I pressed on to my final turn onto Hwy 90. This turn would put me out on the side of a highway, no shade, headwind, no gas stations, no water, and no mercy for 13 miles. I was happy cause this meant only 13 more miles but it was hard to get above 15mph and hold it. I just trudged on. I was looking for tossed out water bottles on the side of the road to help time march on. After 10 miles and about 3 miles outside of Lulling I saw my husband drive by. He pulled to the shoulder about 500 feet in front of me and I was elated. I chugged two sodas! He drove down to a park about another 1500 ft and I took a poor mans shower in the shade of an oak tree with the water in the cooler. Refreshing! No longer being baked alive.
Profile day three. Ignore the 1st part of the chart. I have no idea what my gps was doing.
Random Photos:
Guest at our Camp ground. Kitties away from home. The neat part was the camp ground had a cat colony. They would get them fixed and take care of them. The guest get to hang out with them and enjoy kitty love away from home.
Nathanael relaxing after day 2
Me resting after day 2 down by the river.
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